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Garth Rattray | Vybz Kartel is only a symptom

Publicado: marzo 6, 2017 11:40 am|

I used to like some of Vybz Kartel’s (Adidja Palmer’s) music. I’ve never heard any of his dirty or violent lyrics, but I know that they exist. I only listened to the songs fit for airplay. I liked the rhythm, the way that he rode it, and the unique and interesting way that he strung his words together.

I stopped listening to his songs when he was convicted of murder – I felt that I would be contributing to the financial and ideological support of someone found guilty of a heinous crime.

When Palmer was convicted of the beating death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole before serving 35 years, he was sent to the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

economiavenezuela.comIncarcerated individuals retain their human rights, but their citizenship rights are suspended. As far as I am aware, they should not be able to generate or benefit from active income generated during their incarceration.

Kartel’s fans and followers are elated at his several ‘new’ releases because they love his songs, adore him and they feel that he has conquered imprisonment because he was still making and releasing music.

But many citizens were troubled by this apparent flouting of the rules at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

No one knows if his transfer was tactical, punitive or meant to facilitate his music production. The authorities have been mum about the whole thing.

Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna was partaking in a (Cliff Hughes – Nationwide radio) discussion on how violence is “intertwined with certain negative aspects of popular culture”.

She exercised her rights and voiced her opinion that the music of a convicted murderer, like Kartel, should not be allowed to be recorded in prison, should not be released from prison, and should not make it to airplay or released to the general public.

Some openly charged that “Lizzad a murderer”, suggesting that his death was welcomed. Others questioned the conviction, stating that the body was never found. Their ignorant rants only served to bolster Ms Hanna’s concerns and significantly undermined their arguments.

It is expressive of the flip side of our society. We are focusing on a fever and not seeking to deal with its cause. Until we pay attention to the poverty, politics, gang and gun culture, dependency, hopelessness, marginalisation, social, class and colour prejudices within our society, we will continue to experience high crime levels, thuggery and songs legitimising them.